A critical incident has been declared following severe IT problems at multiple hospitals. The Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals have been significantly impacted by these issues. Additionally, St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital are experiencing related difficulties, though to a lesser extent.
As a result of the IT failure, both Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals are currently unable to operate normally. The declaration of a critical incident enables hospital staff to concentrate on patient care and seek assistance from local partners. The disruption is widespread, affecting frontline medical teams.
In response to the crisis, the ambulance service has been instructed not to transport patients to either Brighton or Haywards Heath. The public is advised to avoid the Emergency Departments of these hospitals unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore, telephone communication with the Brighton and Haywards Heath hospitals is currently unavailable.
Maternity Triage: Special Contact Information
For those needing to contact maternity units, specific contact numbers have been provided:
- Royal Sussex County in Brighton: 07917 751742
- Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath: 07436 040094
Efforts are underway to restore IT systems to normal functioning as a priority, and updates will be shared as soon as available. The situation is ongoing, and the public is advised to stay informed for further developments.